‘It was really pleasing – it’s all starting to come together’ – Baffins Milton boss Shaun Wilkinson on 5-1 friendly win over youthful Pompey XI

Manager Shaun Wilkinson saluted Baffins Milton Rovers' showing in their thumping 5-1 pre-season friendly win over a Pompey XI.
Callum Dart (blue) watches on as a Pompey XI player scores an own goal. Picture: Chris MoorhouseCallum Dart (blue) watches on as a Pompey XI player scores an own goal. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Callum Dart (blue) watches on as a Pompey XI player scores an own goal. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Summer signings Ed Sanders and Oscar Johnston both struck while a trialist and Tommy Scutt helped put the hosts 4-1 up at the break.

An own goal after the restart then rounded off the scoring on a pleasing night for Wilkinson.

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He took great confidence from a clinical display against a Pompey side made up of first and second year scholar players.

Baffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris MoorhouseBaffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Baffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

And Wilkinson has been pleased with the continued progress his squad are making in pre-season.

He said: 'We played really well, moved the ball well, defended well - obviously playing against a full-time outfit, whether they’re 18 or 19.

‘It was really pleasing for us. We’ve come back, we’ve looked fit and sharp; now we’ve got to step up the opposition and it was another step up for us.

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‘Our finishing, our forward play and our combination play is all starting to come together - I thought we looked good.

Callum Dart in possession for Baffins against a Pompey XI. Picture: Chris MoorhouseCallum Dart in possession for Baffins against a Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Callum Dart in possession for Baffins against a Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

‘It was pleasing for us, a pleasing night’s work, there was a good crowd in and it was a good night all-round.'

Wilkinson handed another chance to the trialist goalkeeper who has been training with the club this pre-season following Charlie Searle's departure to Hawks.

Meanwhile, he also used a trialist former Hawks striker, who found the net and impressed on the night.

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Wilkinson said: 'They were two trialists, the goalkeeper and our number nine.

Baffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris MoorhouseBaffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Baffins Milton Rovers v Pompey XI. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

‘The goalkeeper has been with us for a couple of weeks and we’ll have another look at him on Saturday. He’s been with us the whole of pre-season - he’s done okay.

‘He’s had a good career (trialist striker), he’s played for Havant, and he’s come over to play for us.

‘It makes a difference if a nine can hold it up and link it, which he did brilliant today - it’ll bring in the attacking quality we’ve got behind him.'

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Baffins are away to Hampshire Premier Leaguers Fleetlands this Saturday before four home friendlies against higher tier opponents.

Callum Dart, right, and Tommy Scutt after a Pompey XI own goal. Picture: Chris MoorhouseCallum Dart, right, and Tommy Scutt after a Pompey XI own goal. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Callum Dart, right, and Tommy Scutt after a Pompey XI own goal. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Worthing (July 20), Chichester (July 24), Dorking Wanderers (July 27) and Winchester (July 31) are all due to visit the PMC Stadium.

The Dorking game is a particularly attractive one against the team who were top of the National League South in 2020/21 prior to the mid-February null and voiding.

Ex-Hawks Wes Fogden, Jason Prior, Alfie Rutherford, Ed Harris and new signing Josh Taylor could all feature for the Surrey club.

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